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Two arrested, suspect dead in Titusville woman's stabbing death

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — Two people are facing charges Monday in connection with the death of a Titusville woman, WFTV learned.

Michelle Renee Chappell, 41, was found stabbed to death inside her Titusville home on Sunday, and a suspect in her death died in a car crash in Georgia, according to Titusville police.

Police said they have met with Chappell's family and that the Brevard County Medical Examiner's Office will determine positive identification.

Investigators said the scene was so gruesome, that they initially could not tell whether the victim was a man or a woman.

Police named Christian Joseph Murphy, 21, as a suspect in the case. According to police, a gold Nissan was missing from Chappell's residence. When deputies attempted to stop that car in Camden County, Georgia on Sunday, they said the 15-year-old female driver, Taylor Uhl, sped off and crashed.  Murphy, a passenger in the car, was killed.

"The driver of the vehicle lost control of that vehicle, it left the roadway and into the woods. Mr. Murphy was trapped in the vehicle and as a result of that car accident he was killed," said Sgt. Tom House of Titusville Police Department.

WFTV's Renee Stoll learned that Uhl is a runaway from the Country Acres Children's Home near Murphy's Titusville home.

Stoll also learned that Uhl will be charged with vehicular homicide, fleeing and eluding, and grand theft, for taking Chappell's car.

Police said that during their investigation they found several pieces of Chappell's jewelry at a Value Pawn store on Cheney Highway.

Police said the items were pawned on Saturday afternoon by William Weber.

According to police, they have arrested Weber, 18, on charges of dealing in stolen property and they are trying to determine how he got the jewelry.

Police said they have been to the house several times in the past two years, but did not say why.

"I was shocked.  We have owned this house for 15 years and nothing like this has ever happened before in this neighborhood, so it's really disconcerting," said neighbor Megan Magwire.

Police said Chappell knew Murphy, and that it was not a random act of violence.

"All we know at this time is they were not strangers, they were acquainted with one another. How that is, I am not privy to that at this time," said House.

According to police, they are continuing their investigation, looking for further evidence and looking to see if there are any others involved in Chappell's death.

Police said two Titusville detectives went to Georgia to interview Uhl.